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In Berlin, Salafist extremist scene nears 1,000 members: report

Berlin's Salafist extremist scene has tripled since 2011, according to a report from Germany's domestic intelligence agency. Russians comprise the largest foreign national group in the scene.

Germany's domestic intelligence agency reported a significant increase in the extremist Salafist scene in Berlin, more than tripling its members since 2011, according to the Berlin-based Der Tagesspiegel newspaper.

Berlin's Salafist extremist scene comprised some 950 people, said a situation report from domestic intelligence, known as the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV). Those considered "dangerous" – or classified as prone to commit an act of violence – have quadrupled since 2011, comprising 420 people.

At least half of the scene's members are German, of which only a third are dual nationals. Russians represented the largest foreign national group of the extremist scene, according to the BfV report.

Meanwhile, men made up nearly 90 percent of the scene, with an average age of 34 years. The average of age of women in the scene was 33.

While Salafists adhere to a strict interpretation of Islam's sacred texts and traditions, notably emphasizing material displays of faith such as wearing garments above the ankles, not all are considered extremists or politically active.

While not all Salafists are considered extremists, many participate in "Da'wah" – or the "call" – which includes proselytizing

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